I think that by using the word 'transitioning' there is an implication that the final destination is living and presenting as the opposite sex full-time, i.e. as a transsexual. I don't like that implication, because many of us transgendered are not sure how far we are going. I consider myself to be 'transitioning' to a female gender expression to some degree, that is still up in the air. In the beginning, I didn't expect to go as far as I have to date, and I know that I am going further still. How far? I don't know, but I don't know how to describe the process any other way. When one alters their sexual hormone balance to affect feminization with the development of breasts, a more feminine shape, facial and body hair removal, etc., that is transitioning in my book even if the process stops short of SRS or life as a transsexual.

Speaking for myself,
(a) the only mental effect of PM that I am aware of, is the reduction in my desire to cross dress, and that the desire returns if I stop PM.
(b) I don't consider myself to be transitioning to anything/anywhere. " I am what I am" and I'm comfortable with that. I was about 20 when I sat myself down and decided that I wasn't a woman even though I wished I was, and that I wasn't a TS and wasn't going that route. 40 years later I found PM and that has given me, at least partly, the body shape I craved and that seems to satisfy my brain - I wish my boobs were a bit bigger, I like the fact that I now have minimal body hair, my model railway hobby is still as strong as it has been for the past 60 years, I still hate sport as much as I have done all my life, I still love my wife as much as when we first met...etc.

In a way this feeling is great because I feel this insurmountable amount of energy to achieve remarkable things in my career, day-to-day tasks, and relationships, all knowing it is getting me closer to the at least partial HRT I want.

That sounds like the attitude of someone who will go far in whatever they choose to do. Give 'er hell.

[quote Crossgendering?

Clara
[/quote]


I like that ...

. ..My point is that once you begin changing your hormonal balance, whether by pharma HRT, or by herbal HRT, you are in essence changing, or "transitioning" from one state to another.
I just like to keep terminology honest.

Samantha , I like your definition of transitioning. I have changed so much since last year that I am not the same person as before, of course much better. So your definition applies to me very well. POM

I'm strongly considering trying PM (already have it in my amazon cart ) for the mental changes as well as the the physical. However, I do not know if these mental changes may end up being more favorable or not. In case they are not, how permanent will the changes be? Has anyone taken them for a short or prolonged period and then stopped their program altogether and noticed themselves for the most part back to their pre NBE mentality?

I had been on PM for 14 months when I began a 30-day break (I'm now on day 23). I can honestly say that the mental effects I enjoy from PM are completely gone at this point. I suppose it's true that some permanent changes have occurred that I am not aware of (and may be blind to because of those very changes), but I am more inclined to believe that the mental changes (i.e. "rewiring") are definitely not permanent.

Misty

What I have learned and experienced so far from PM is this:

Uterus is the main source of production of estrogen in females. PM makes enough estrogen for a male to feel and change toward femininity.
So, whenever you stop PM or other phytoestrogens, then, the production of E stops, and you are back to the dominance of T.